Students from Emerson, Juanita and Lake Washington high schools and International Community School visited Kirkland City Hall to learn from local elected officials, tour the building and attend a luncheon at the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce.

Connections - December 7, 2018

LWSD to Place Capital Projects Levy on April 23 Ballot

Levy will address immediate capacity needs and district-wide safety measures
At its December 3 meeting, Lake Washington School District’s (LWSD) Board of Directors passed Resolution No. 2259 to place a Capital Projects Levy on the April 23, 2019 ballot. This measure, if passed, authorizes a six-year levy totaling $120 million or an average of $20 million per year for six years.

Levy funds would pay for critical projects to address rapid enrollment growth and student safety and security. Proposed projects include: classroom additions at Lake Washington High School, including auxiliary gyms and commons; classroom additions at Carson Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Rose Hill Elementary, and Twain Elementary, including expansion of core facilities where feasible; and support student safety by adding exterior security cameras at elementary schools and create entry modifications for security at Eastlake, Redmond and Lake Washington High Schools. (Juanita High School’s entry modifications will be added during the current construction project.)

Learning Focused

LWSD United Way Campaign raises more than $100k

Every year, Lake Washington School District staff participate in a fundraising campaign in coordination with United Way of King County. Staff have the option to donate directly to United Way and their programs and services, or they can decide to donate to a non-profit organization of their choosing. This year, staff donated $102,642 to this year’s campaign, a new record for the district! Our staff is dedicated to the well-being of our students and families in our community and beyond. The money we raised will help those families throughout King County and right here in the Lake Washington School District community.

Two LWSD teachers receive Symetra Heroes in the Classroom awards

Congratulations to Juanita High School teacher Tim Magdziarz, and Franklin Elementary teacher Shawna Sandstrom. Both have been named Symetra Heroes in the Classroom—Seattle. Only 16 teachers in the Seattle-area will win these awards this Seahawks season. Magdziarz was recognized at the December 2 Seahawks game. Byrne will be recognized at the December 10 Seahawks game. Each received $2,000 for their school, along with a custom Seahawks jersey.

Safety Spotlight

Reminder: Are you ready for inclement weather?

When emergency conditions such as snow and ice or windstorms result in school schedule changes, the district will notify families directly through our SchoolMessenger automated phone system. You can learn how to know when school is delayed or cancelled on the School Closures and Late Starts page of the district website. Families with students who ride the bus should watch their mail in mid-November for a postcard with information about their bad weather bus route. Want to make sure you receive alerts about school closures right away? Sign up on flashalert.net to be notified about the latest school delay and school closure news from LWSD.

Building on Success

Building on Success is Lake Washington School District's long-term plan to reduce overcrowding, accommodate growing enrollment and continue to provide quality learning environments and experiences for our students.

Juanita High School students tour campus for geometry class

“What shape is this?” asked Josh Goldman, a project manager from Cornerstone Construction who is part of the construction team on the new Juanita High School (JHS).
Most of the students in the JHS geometry class knew the answer to the trick question. The three sides of metal forming a right angle is called a square (not a triangle). Goldman passed the square around and told students it is one of the oldest tools in carpentry. It is still widely used to make 90-degree cuts and internal angles.

The class was studying parallel and perpendicular lines. They were learning to find the distance from a point to a line. In their classroom, they identified geometric principles on a blueprint of the new theater such as dilation (the rows of seats), translation, rotation, reflection, perimeter, area and volume. After the lesson, the entire class walked to the back of the school, where they had a good view of plenty of parallel and perpendicular lines – the steel beams that had not yet been enclosed.

Is your child too sick for school?

While school attendance is important, so is the health of all students and staff. If your child experiences any of the following symptoms, please keep him/her at home or make appropriate child care arrangements: fever, vomiting, lice/scabies, diarrhea, chronic cough and/or runny nose, sore throat, rash, ear infection (with fever), or eye infection. If he/she experiences any of these symptoms at school, the school nurse or office staff may ask you to pick your student up as soon as possible. Read more.

Student & Staff Success

Making a splash – Redmond High swim and dive coach named 4A swim coach of the year

Redmond High School (RHS) girls’ swim and dive head coach, Julie Barashkoff, has been named the Washington State Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association 4A Swim Coach of the Year. She was presented with the honor at the State Swim and Dive Championships November 9-10. Read more about the award for Barashkoff.

Green is the way to go – Sandburg and Discovery school community put in extra work on campus

It takes extra work to make a campus look this good. Families from Carl Sandburg Elementary and Discovery Community School spent a weekend in October digging into the ground. The campus, which includes both schools, is part of the King County Green Schools program. The county provides resources needed to help schools become more environmentally efficient. Sandburg/Discovery is a level 4 Green School which means they compost, recycle, reduce energy and are herbicide-free. On this day in October, a group of parents and student volunteers were weeding, mulching and much more. Read more about the schools’ project.

Custodians needed

LWSD is looking to fill multiple custodial positions throughout our district. Custodians need to have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a physical and pass a criminal background check. Job descriptions are available on the district website, under “Employment” then “Classified Employees.” Pass along to anyone looking for an important and fulfilling position with LWSD.

Sodexo/Nutrition Services is hiring

Are you looking for a way to get involved in LWSD? Would you like a part-time job that gives you the flexibility to be with your kids before and after school? Shifts that range from two hours to eight hours are available, helping serve students breakfast and lunch. Starting pay depends on experience. If interested, contact Nutrition Services at 425-936-1385.

The Lake Washington School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, gender, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Complete policy statement